Can't Increase Eg4 6500 Battery Charge Rate w EG4 LifePower4

Hi All,

I have 2 EG4 6500 Inverters and only 1 (for right now) EG4 LifePower4 battery.

In setting 2, maximum battery charge rate, the inverters automatically reset this setting to not exceed 50 AMPs between the 2 of them. So, inverter 1 sometimes resets this setting to 20 AMPs while inverter 2 resets to 30 AMPS. Sometimes those AMPs flip around.

The manual for the LifePower4 says the maximum charge current is 100AMP constant.

Additionally, I have 4,500 Watts of solar, since I only have 1 battery, the inverters will curtail my solar down to around 2,000 watts to only charge the battery at 50AMPs (when there is no load on the inverters, when there is a load, the inverters allow more solar through so I know my panels are producing more than the battery is using).

Finally, my battery settings are to "EG4" on Inverter 1 (SP1) and "Use" on Inverter 2 (SP2).

Any ideas or suggestions on what to do here? I'm not getting maximum power input, or output, on my battery.

Thanks,

Bob

I think that once you have communication between battery and inverter, the BMS actually dictates the charge current, controlling the inverter.

Just to verify, try disconnecting the communication cable between battery and inverter, and set the inverter to use voltage as opposed to SOC.
Then check if you can set the charging current higher.

Great idea! As a test, I'll unplug my com cable, update setting 5 to be "Use" instead of "EG4", then use setting 26 to set my "Bulk Charge Voltage" to 56V (this is from the EG4 manual that says "56V Recommended").

Does that sound about right?

Do I need to adjust my float charge voltage or Low DC cutoff since I'm not using the Com Cable?

bob.longmire said:

Does that sound about right?

Do I need to adjust my float charge voltage or Low DC cutoff since I'm not using the Com Cable?

Click to expand...

Exactly!

Yes, make sure float and LVD are also set accordingly.

Remember that amps are drawn and not pushed. With only having the one battery, it is not going to draw 100A constant. 100A is the maximum. 30A is constant. You will sacrifice battery lifespan by trying to charge constantly at the maximum. A single battery is a bit undersized for 2 units, so the BMS is going to limit the charge on order to protect itself from over charging issues. If for example you had 4 batteries paralleled, the inverters would increase charging voltage when in EG4 mode.

Ben! The legend! Thanks for the information. I'm wanting to add some batteries in the future, but maybe I should do it now to avoid reducing the health of the 1 I have now. Might take advantage of the black Friday sale and grab 2 more. Thanks for the note!

bob.longmire said:

Ben! The legend! Thanks for the information. I'm wanting to add some batteries in the future, but maybe I should do it now to avoid reducing the health of the 1 I have now. Might take advantage of the black Friday sale and grab 2 more. Thanks for the note!

Click to expand...

Did that solve the issue?

Yeah!! Everything is working great. The solar no longer curtails and I'm able to charge the car and run the heater when the sun is dow . I upgraded again today and bought 10 more panels and 2 more batteries. Honestly kicking myself for not buying a bundle right away. Would have saved myself a few grand. I'll have 20 panels and 5 batteries after my latest purchase.